At the 2018 State Annual Meeting, a stat was mentioned a couple times about the $67,000 which has been raised to help Special Olympics via Polar Plunges which have occurred in Virginia Beach, Northern Virginia, Charlottesville, and New River. It was also mentioned that there will be one more plunge opportunity this fraternal year which will occur during the Summer Olympic Games which will be held at the University of Richmond.

Did you know that the Virginia Knights of Columbus will have a contingent at the University of Richmond participating in the event? Lead by team captain Chan Mohney, a donation / support page has been created.

The address is: https://impact.specialolympicsva.org/team/139383. Currently, Chan and I have signed up and we are looking for more of our friends to join us as we make the plunge to help support ‘God’s Special Children’. Earlier this week, the District Deputies and the councils in Central Virginia were challenged to donate at least $100 toward the Polar Plunge and to have at least one member join us in the water (creative reading on my part). Here are some particulars about the plunge:

If all 38 councils in the Metro Richmond area plus Districts 11 & 21 were to meet the $100 floor, that would bring our total to over $70,000; therefore, we need a stronger challenge. Can we end the fraternal year by raising at least $75,000 for Special Olympics?

So, I ask the Worthy District Deputies and Worthy Grand Knights throughout the Old Dominion State to consider making a resolution at their May or June business meeting to support the Solar Plunge team. I would also ask the 28,000+ Knights and their families to consider joining the team for the event.

More than 200 active duty and veteran military personnel are journeying to France this week as part of the annual Warriors to Lourdes Pilgrimage, organized by the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, and supported by the Knights of Columbus. This event, held in conjunction with the annual International Military Pilgrimage, will draw tens of thousands of troops, veterans and others from around the world to the famous shrine to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

We welcome you to be a part of this experience, from the Candlelight Vigil to the Marian Procession to the video testimonials shared by those whose attendance has been made possible in no small part by the generous contributions of our Knights.

For a glimpse into the week to come, check out the latest video in our Everyday Heroes series, Warrior for Christ.

“It is very easy to lose faith or suffer both physically and spiritually, but the healing we have enjoyed, both during our trip to Lourdes and since returning, is something that I wish we could share with all of our fellow service members, particularly those in suffering.” — Jonathan A., Marine Corps, Warrior Pilgrim 2017

1st Sgt. Sompaul Vorapanich of the U.S. Army Special Force became a Knight during his deployment in Afghanistan and this year helps lead our pilgrims in Lourdes. Warrior for Christ shares his personal testimony to the power of prayer and brotherhood.

I wanted to follow up from the discussion at the Virginia State Council annual meeting about membership incentives available for councils and individuals in Virginia. Below is a list of all membership incentives available.

At the annual meeting I announced that the Virginia State Council is running a membership incentive for May 2018. For every new member recorded by Supreme in May 2018 the Virginia State Council will send a check in June 2018 for $4.00 per member recorded to each council who has new member(s) recorded. Think of it this way, the Virginia State Council is going ahead and giving you the $4.00 Virginia per capita for next fraternal year for each of these new members. In discussions with all three General Agents in Virginia they have agreed to also pay the council $4.00 per member recorded by Supreme in May 2018. Wow that is $8.00 being paid for each new member recorded by Supreme in May 2018. What a great time to recruit new members and get them through the Admissions Degree.

Supreme is once again offering a $4.50 credit on per capita for all billable members for councils who achieve Star Council this fraternal year. If your council is close or has a goal of Star Council this fraternal year now is the time for action. Just think of the money your council could save and use towards charitable causes.

The Virginia State Council is also running a contest among the District Deputies. Those high performing districts in January and February 2018 have received money already. Who is going to get money from the next payout?

If you have not heard or passed this incentive along to your council members, Supreme has an incentive for recruiters. Those members who have recruited new member(s) between November 15, 2017 and June 30, 2018 are going to be put into a drawing for one of 10 trips paid for by Supreme to the World meeting of Families in Dublin, Ireland in August 2018. Now is the time to recruit a new member and get him to an Admissions Degree so you are eligible and could win this fantastic trip to Dublin.

If you have any questions on these incentives please don’t hesitate to ask your District Deputy, the State Membership Director, or myself and we will get you information quickly.

Thank you to all of those who participated in the Virginia Blood Services St Bridget Blood Drive on May 6th sponsored by the Knights of Columbus Council 5476. This is one of approximately four blood drives we host throughout the year at St Bridget.

St Bridget parishioner, Ann VanderSyde, donating blood

“The effect you have on others is the most valuable currency there is!” (Unknown) What we do through the life-saving gift of donating our blood has a profound positive impact on countless lives. While we give of ourselves not knowing our recipients, we know these donations make new beginnings for people in need.

The act of donating blood is one of the most selfless, anonymous acts of kindness there is, to which the benefit cannot truly be measured. It is in fact one of the most Christ-like deeds we can offer in love of our fellow man; blood donation is positive, impactful, selfless, gracious, merciful and life-saving. Of course not everyone can give, but I hope we can rely on the men in our Council to support the culture of participation for the Blood Drive going forward. We need everyone’s help in order to grow the number of participants from our parish.

Please recognize the following St Bridget parishioners for their generous donations on May 6th, 2018:

A day without the Knights of Columbus

Imagine a world where a young man rolls out of bed to the street on a gray winter morning. He walks by a shop in the neighborhood and catches a glimpse of a TV through an old window, showing an image of the Pope. Yet what catches his attention is the fact that the so-called beautiful St. Peter’s Basilica behind him doesn’t really look like something to be proud of; it looks more green than white. Then he sees a Middle Eastern Christian family begging for help, saying they were alone and desperate in a city still devastated.

The image sets a tone for the state in which the Church and many neighborhoods and families could be if the Knights of Columbus didn’t carry out the work they do. They are often the unseen force that has made God’s voice audible in the poor, widows, children, nation and Church.

It was the Knights who funded the greatest restoration of the 65,000-square-foot façade of St. Peter’s Basilica in 350 years. It was the Knights who fought until the phrase “under God” was included in the pledge of allegiance in response to the Communist threat of the time. It was them who helped dozens of priests and seminarians during the Mexican Cristero War and the Ku Klux Klan attacks in the last century.

These same Knights of Columbus are still in our midst, transforming our culture through education, advancing and sustaining our parishes, giving wheelchairs to families in need, consistently serving in the Special Olympics, building homes, accompanying veterans, college students and children…

The over $1.5 billion this Catholic fraternal organization has given to charity in the past 10 years and the impressive number of services it provides are the fruits of these great men from all over the world, of these great and simple men at your parish – the same ones who enjoy grilling and sell Tootsie Rolls outside a grocery store.

They make this possible. So, next time you see a Knight, make sure you tell him, “Thank you, Sir Knight.”

Thank you to all who helped with this wonderful event last week end – [French Food Festival].

Whether you were working at Mike McClure’s tent or somewhere else volunteering, the Knights from St Bridget (and wives) were well represented. There was a lot of prep work and cooking done by many on five nights prior to the event….thanks to you folks.

A couple of special thanks go to Ron Campbell and Ann/Randy Boyd who were there for countless hours assisting me keeping the food moving!